gunpowder

[guhn-pou-der] /ˈgʌnˌpaʊ dər/
noun
1.
an explosive mixture, as of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal, used in shells and cartridges, in fireworks, for blasting, etc.
2.
Also called gunpowder tea. a fine variety of green China tea, each leaf of which is rolled into a little ball.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English; see gun1, powder1
Related forms
gunpowdery, adjective
Examples from the web for gunpowder
  • Invention of the stirrup may rival that of the longbow and gunpowder.
  • gunpowder could be used for a primitive form of internal combustion engine.
  • The brothers survived the frigid winters on plentiful game, waiting out the war until they ran out of gunpowder.
  • And yes, some of us made gunpowder and other explosives.
  • The enormous logs, too heavy to handle, are blasted into manageable dimensions with gunpowder.
  • She also found out where they had placed torpedoes, or barrels filled with gunpowder, in the water.
  • Some said he was fond of pouring gunpowder into his rum and setting it ablaze before downing it.
  • Perle seemed to exude the scent of liberation, as well as a whiff of gunpowder.
  • The bounty upon gunpowder exported, a drawback duties of the duties upon brimstone and saltpetre imported.
  • But a metaphor is no argument, though it be sometimes the gunpowder to drive one home and imbed it in the memory.
British Dictionary definitions for gunpowder

gunpowder

/ˈɡʌnˌpaʊdə/
noun
1.
an explosive mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulphur (typical proportions are 75:15:10): used in time fuses, blasting, and fireworks Also called black powder
Derived Forms
gunpowdery, adjective
Word Origin and History for gunpowder
n.

early 15c., from gun (n.) + powder (n.). The Gunpowder Plot was the conspiracy to blow up the Houses of Parliament on Nov. 5, 1605, while the King, Lords and Commons were assembled there.